Corner of Lawnmarket and West Bow

Category

Museums & Galleries Item

Item no

11261

Title

Corner of Lawnmarket and West Bow from Johnstone Terrace

Artist / maker

Begbie, Thomas

Date

1858

Size

16.8 x 14.7 cm

Type

Photograph

Location

City Art Centre

Copyright

The Cavaye Collection of Thomas Begbie Prints ; The City of Edinburgh Council Museums & Galleries

No.1 in volume.

Lawnmarket is the section of Edinburgh's Royal Mile running from its junction with Johnston Terrace to where it meets George IV Bridge. Regular markets were held in this area until the late 18th century.

Edinburgh's West Bow was zig-zagging street which led up from the Grassmarket to the top of the Lawnmarket. The street was interrupted by the construction of Victoria Street and Terrace between 1829-34. Its lower section joining the Grassmarket remains, and the line of the old street can be followed via a staircase to the Upper Bow. Traffic now follows Victoria Street from the West Bow up to George IV Bridge.

Johnston Terrace forms part of Thomas Hamilton's plan for a new western approach to Edinburgh. The plan was authorised by parliament in 1827 and Johnston Terrace, then referred to as the New West Approach, was opened in the mid 1830's. Its name was changed in 1850 in honour of Sir William Johnston, Lord Provost of Edinburgh 1848-51.

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